NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-06-2025 3PM EST

Episode Date: January 6, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. Applause erupting in the Senate chamber today as lawmakers arrive to certify the results of the 2024 election. Vice President Kamala Harris presided and read aloud the final count that confirmed her loss to Donald Trump. She addressed reporters a short time ago. Obviously a very important day and it was about what should be the norm and what the American people should be able to take for granted, which is that one of the most important pillars of our democracy is that there will be a peaceful transfer of power.

Today's process was a dramatic departure from four years ago when pro-Trump supporters stormed the Capitol to stop the count confirming Trump's loss to then-President-elect Joe Biden. They claim that election was rigged. It was not. President Biden is heading to New Orleans today to attend a prayer service for the victims of the New Year's attack on Bourbon Street, where an Army veteran drove a truck through the Fame Street in the French Quarter, killing 14 people and injuring 30 others. Here's NPR's Deepa Sivaram.

Deepa Sivaram, NPR News. With just two weeks left in office, President Biden is taking on his role as Consular-in-Chief. He and First Lady Jill Biden will attend an interfaith prayer service hosted by the Archdiases of New Orleans just five days after the attack. The Army veteran who drove the truck posted several videos online indicating he was inspired by ISIS. Biden told reporters on Sunday that his message to those he's meeting in New Orleans will be personal.

The president himself often speaks of his own grief after losing his wife and daughter in a car accident and later his son Bo to brain cancer. Deepa Sivaram and PR News, The White House. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his intention to step down after the Liberal Party selects a new leader, marking the end of his tenure as the country's leader. He shared his much anticipated decision this morning outside his official residence. Winter storms continue to pound large swaths of the United States. Cincinnati has received more than eight inches in less than a day, setting records and making travel extremely difficult.

Nick Swartzell of member station WVXU has details. Snow emergencies are in effect throughout the Ohio Valley region and officials are urging caution. But not everyone can stay inside. Dominic Benelli works for a small business that makes ventilation systems. He's shoveling the sidewalk in front of the shop. Just to help take care of our sidewalk and make it safe for the other employees, our owner and supervisors and stuff like that to walk in here and not have to fall and slip on ice, really.

Many other businesses are closed. The snow will likely stick around for a while. Freezing temperatures are forecast for the rest of the week. For NPR News, I'm Nick Schwartzell in Cincinnati. The Dow is down 31 points at 42,700. This is NPR News. New York City commuters are facing their first week of congestion pricing. Many drivers are being charged $9 to enter Manhattan during peak hours.

The program, which debuted yesterday, is the first of its kind in the U.S., and it is controversial. Advocates say it'll generate billions of dollars for transit upgrades and ultimately improve air quality. However, opponents argue the measure is an unfair financial burden to people forced to commute to Manhattan. The NFL regular season wrapped up yesterday, and the playoff lineup is now set. The two top seeds are the Detroit Lions and the reigning two-time Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs.

NPR's Becky Sullivan has more. The Lions put an exclamation point on their regular season with a 31-9 Sunday night win over the Minnesota Vikings. That gave them the top seed in the NFC and with it a bye week to rest up. Detroit's prolific offense makes them a favorite to reach their first Super Bowl ever. Meanwhile, the Chiefs are aiming to be the first team to win three Super Bowls in a row. They also have the week off. Of those who have to play next weekend, the AFC heavyweights are the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens, each led by an MVP candidate at quarterback. They'll face the

Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers respectively. In the NFC, the two seed Philadelphia Eagles will host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, while the 14-win Vikings must travel to Los Angeles to take on the Rams. Becky Sullivan, NPR News. The Nasdaq is up 193 points. The S&P has gained 28 and the Dow is down 22 points. This is NPR.